Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-24

A NEW ENGLAND NUN.

| in the ward. Somewhere in the distance
cows were lowing and a little bell was
tinkling; now and then farm wagon
tilted by, and the dust few; some blue
shirted laborers with shovels over their
shoulders plodded past; little swarms OF
flies were dancing up and down before
peoples faces in the soft air. There
seemed to be over everything a gentle
stir arising for the mere sake of SUBJ
sidence-a very premonition of rest and
hush and night.
This soft diurnal commotion was over
Louisa Ellis also. She had been peace
fully sewing at her sitting-roon window
all the afternoon. Now she quilted her
needle carefully into her work, which she
folded precisely, and laid in basket with
her thimble and thread and scissors.
Louisa Ellis could not remember that ever
in her life she had misaid one of these
little feminine Appearances, which had
become. from long use and constant asso-
citation, very part of her personality.
Louisa was slow and still in her move
ments; it took her long time to prepare
her tea but when ready it was set forth
with as much grace as if she had been a
veritable guest to her own self. The little
square table stood exactly in the centre OF
the kitchen, and was covered with a
starched linen cloth whose border pattern
of flowers glistened. Louisa had dam
ask napkin on her tea-tray, where were
arranged cut-glass tumbler full of tea
spoons. silver cream pitcher, a china
sugar. bowl, and one pink china cup and
saucer Louisa used china every day
something which none of her neighbors
did. They whispered about it among
themselves. Their daily tables were laid
with common crockery, their sets of best
china staid in the parlor closet, and Louisa
Ellis was no richer nor better bred than
they. Still she would use the china. She
had tor her supper a glass dish full of
sugared currants, plate OF little cakes,
and one of light white biscuits. Also a
leaf or two of lettuce. which she cut up
dantily. Louisa was very fond of lettuce.
which she raised to perfection in her little
garden. She ate quite heartily, though
in delicate, pecking way it seemed al
most surprising that any considerable bulk
of the food should vanish.
After tea she filled plate with nicely
baked thin corn cakes, and carried them
out into the back yard.
"CHsar!'' she called. Caesar! Casarn'
There was little rush. and the clank
OF chain. and large yellow and white
dog appeared at the door of his tiny
hut, which was half hidden among the tall
grasses and flowers. Louisa patted him
and gave him the corn cakes. Then she
returned to the house and washed the tea
things. polishing the china carefully. The
twilight had deepened; the chorus of the
frogs hoated in at the open window
wonderfully loud and shril, and once in d
while long sharp drone from a tree TOAD
pierced it. Louisa took off her greer
gingham apron, disclosing shorter one
OF pink and white print She lighted hel
lamp. and sat down again with her sew
ing.
In about halt an hour Joe Dagget came
She heard his heavy step on the walk, anc
rose and took off her pink and white apron
Under that was still another-white linen
with a little cambria edging on the bottom
that was Louisa's company apron
She never wore it without hel
calico sewing apron over il
unless she had guest. She haC
barely folded the pink and white one with
melhodical haste and laid it in a table
drawer when the door opened and Joe
Dagget entered.
He seemed to fill up the whole room
A little yellow canary that had been ASLEEP
in his green cage at the south window
woke up and tluttered wildly, beating his
little yellow wings against the wires. He
always did so when Joe Dagget came into
the room.
Good evening"" said Louisa. She ex
tended her hand with a kind of solemn
cordially.
Good evening, Louisa" returned h,
man, in a loud voice.
She placed chair for him, and they
sat facing each other, with the table be
tween them He sat bolt upright, toejne
out his heavy feet squarely. glancing will
a good humored uneasiness around the
room. She sat gently erect, folding be-
slender hands in her white linen lap.
Been a pleasant day." remarked Dag
get.
Real pleasant" Louisa assented softly
Have you been haying?' she asked, afte
little while.
Eyes. I've been having all day, dow,
in the ten-acre lot. Pretty hot work.
at must be-
"Yes. its pretty hot work out in tn,
SUM-"
SIS your mother well to day?"
Yes. mothers pretty well "
II suppose Lily Dyer's with her now?'
Dagget colored. Eyes, she's with her, ,
he answered slowly.
He was not very young, but there was
boysh look about his large face. Louis;
was not quite as old as he, her face wa,
fairer and smoother. but she gave peopl,
the impression of being older.
II suppose she's good deal of help tt
your mother" she said. further.
Il guess she is; | don't know how
mother'd get along without her." salt
Dagget. with sort of embarrassed
warmth.
"She looks like real capable girl
She's pretty looking too" remarke,
Louisa.
Yes, she is pretty fair looking"
Presently Dagget began lingering tn,
books on the table. There was squar
red autograph album. and Young Lady
. Gift Book which had belonged to Louisa
! mother. He took them up one after tn
. other and opened them; then laid then
down again. the album on the Gift Book
, Louisa kept cycling them with mild I'm
easiness. Finally She rose and change,
the position of the books. putting the al
bum underneath, That was the way the,
. had been arranged in the first place.
Dagget gave an awkward little laugh